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In November 1981 after the release of their debut album ‘Jeopardy‘, The Sound released their second one ‘From The Lions Mouth‘. The production took place in Rockfield Studios in Wales. At that time, the band’s lineup changed and after the departure of Belinda ‘Bi’ Marshal, Max Mayers took over keyboards and synthesizers. The album’s cover artwork was taken from the 1872 painting “Daniel In The Lions’ Den” by Briton Rivière.

The opening song is ‘Winning’. “I was going to drown then I started winning” — passing successively the lyrics’ mood.

Sense Of Purpose’, ‘Contact The Fact’ & ‘Skeletons’ are the next songs, simple sound catchy and dynamic lyrics. The atmospheric ‘Judgment’ is closing the first side of the vinyl, while the second one opens with the awesome military drum beat of ‘Fatal Flaw’, followed by ‘Possession’ and the immaculate ‘The Fire’ with the fantastic bass line, which certainly gives you the lift to fall in to the fire again and again! ‘Silent Air’ is the atmospheric song of this side with its depressing lyrics, while ‘New Dark Age’ is the closing anthem of the album… Truly magnificent.

From The Lions Mouth‘ is the second great achievement of Adrian Borland’s The Sound. A timeless diamond of the new wave era; the sense of loneliness is all over the album from start to finish, but there’s a silver lining somewhere between the lines. It’s the first record by The Sound I bought and after 23 years it still sounds as the first time I listened to it.

Jeopardy’ is a more edgy album but ‘From The Lions Mouth‘ is very emotional and far more personal. Close the lights in your room, lay down, turn it up and enjoy. The fame the recognition and the money never arrived to the door of Adrian Borland and his gang, but it’s a unique masterpiece for all the underground and new wave fans.

And we’ve broken our fingers

Broken our faith

Broken our hearts so many times

They can’t be broken anymore

Scratched away at the walls for years

All we’ve got to show is the dust on the floor

And here it comes, a new dark age.’

John Leva